All-rounder McCormick set to join finals' club

Few can claim to be a sporting all-rounder quite like Jenna McCormick, with the Canberra United youngster one of several Westfield W-League stars to have excelled in more than one sport.

McCormick may not quite have the status of Sydney FC’s dual international Ellyse Perry, but her sporting resume is nonetheless impressive. She represented South Australia as a teenager in both cricket and Australian Rules football.

McCormick played AFL and soccer during last winter, with Melbourne City goalkeeper Brianna Davey another who donned an Australian Rules jersey in the off-season. “There is never a dull moment,” says the 21-year-old with a smile in her voice.

“I still to this day have a 50-50 love for playing AFL and soccer, and I try to fit in both when I can.”

McCormick’s all-round sporting prowess is reflected on the field play, in both football and cricket. She was handy, batter, bowler, and even wicketkeeper.

The Mount Gambier-raised McCormick has also played multiple positions in the Westfield W-League. She started as a raw 18-year-old with Adelaide United in the forward line, before moving to defence.

After three seasons the opportunity arose to make the move to the champions, and in her first season in the nation’s capital, McCormick has slotted in adroitly in both defence and also as a make-shift winger.

More recently, she proved to be a perfect solution when Canberra lost another former Adelaide defender Emma Checker to a season-ending knee injury.

“It has been easy to adapt to both positions really, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to do both,” says McCormick of her season at Canberra.

“Having played that role before helped, and it was a case of slipping into old habits. Playing alongside Ellie (Brush) is really good for me and my confidence.

“It has been an awesome opportunity to come to Canberra and play with a championship-winning team."

Sunday will see McCormick play in her first ever Westfield W-League finals match when Sydney FC visit the nation’s capital. Unlike most of her United teammates, McCormick will be making her debut at the pointy end of competition.

“It hasn’t actually hit me too much that it is a semi-final. I’m sure come Sunday the nerves will kick in.

“I’m very excited, and I’m sure we will do really well if we do the basics rights, and do what we do well.

“It will be tough because they (Sydney FC) have hit a good run of form lately. Although we have beaten them twice this season, that will mean nothing on the day.”